Sound Teaching

All of us understand the importance of friendship. We grasp it when we are young. Perhaps that is why a little child can come tell their parent after an hour’s play, “Mommy, I have a new friend!” This desire and readiness to accept another as a friend, unfortunately, becomes more rare as we get older. Personalities, politics, religion, culture, and biases all begin to erect boundaries. Perhaps personal disappointment or unpleasant experiences make us more cautious and make it harder to foster close relationships.

Disappointed experiences change nothing about the benefit of friendship. We are told, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Proverbs 27:6). All of us need a voice we can trust and cherish, knowing that what they say may be difficult to hear, but it is said out of love and concern for us. A voice that comes from someone who we know is looking out for our interests.  In short, a friend. Continue reading “(5 of 13) The Warmth of Friendship” →

The question Paul asks here regards God’s supply or provision of  miraculous gifts to Christians.  Also under consideration were the miracles themselves (as we know confirming the word, and culminating with the resurrection of Christ Himself) cf. Hebrews 2:3-4).

Did God do this under the law of Moses? Or under the New Covenant of Christ? It was by the “hearing of faith” in Jesus Christ, which included salvation both to the Jews and to the Gentiles.

The conclusion is one that Paul argued continually in many places. It is interesting here he uses the miracles that had occurred and continued in the time of the Galatian Christians to make his point. “So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (9).

His question to the Galatians is one we must ask ourselves. Why were they returning to the law of Moses, when salvation was through faith in Christ? And, why do so many do the same today!

You are familiar with Jesus’ words to the Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…” (John 8:31-32). These words create what amounts to a litmus test to establish discipleship.

Let’s define a couple of terms. The first is litmus test. It is “a test for acidity or alkalinity using litmus.” Litmus is a dye that is added to paper, that when touched by acidic liquid turns red, and when touched by alkaline liquid turns blue. It is completely reliable and definitive. As such, the phrase “litmus test” has come to mean a test that decisively indicates a particular nature. Continue reading “The Litmus Test of Discipleship” →

A sermon discussing Titus 3. It show that the proper response to the kindness and love of Christ in His sacrifice to mankind demands a proper response from His disciples, to treat one another with kindness and goodness.

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The book of Ruth shows an obvious respect given to the elderly in that day. This is seen in Ruth leaving her homeland to stay with Naomi as she returned to Israel.

It is seen in Boaz’ treatment of Ruth. While it is certain that Boaz was a noble individual, his treatment of Ruth came in part because of his respect for his Naomi, his kinswoman. When Ruth was identified as the “young Moabite woman who came back with Naomi” (6) he encouraged her to stay and glean in his fields. He was protective of her, and supplied her and Naomi enough to eat. The reason Boaz gave for helping her related to her sacrifice in leaving the land of her birth to “come to a people (Naomi’s) whom you did not know before” (2:11).

Ruth showed respect to Boaz despite his being significantly older, and she sought his favor. He said, “You have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich” (3:10).

After Boaz wed Ruth, they had a son. The women of the village of Bethlehem had an interesting reaction. “Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, ‘There is one born to Naomi.’ And they called his name Obed” (17).

Rather than being dismissed by society, Naomi was revered in her old age. What an example for us to embrace!

In Nehemiah 2, we read of a conversation Nehemiah had with Artarxerxes, king of Persia. The work of rebuilding Jerusalem was not progressing, and Nehemiah was mourning the state of ruin the city and temple were in. His sadness was one he could not hide from the king. Presenting such sadness before the king was dangerous, and Nehemiah confessed, “So I became dreadfully afraid” (2:2).

The interesting verse is 4.  “Then the king said to me, ‘What do you request?’ So I prayed to the God of heaven.” I have no doubt his prayer to God was a simple and quick one. It would be foolish to keep the king waiting. This did not preclude the prayer itself. Nehemiah felt the need to appeal to God before he appealed to the king. His prayer and request to Artexerxes was granted, and Nehemiah became a great leader of the Jews, overseeing the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Lord’s house. At the end of the book we find him praying to God again, “Remember me, O my God, for good!” (13:31). Continue reading “Two Prayers of Mourning” →

Here Paul expresses his confidence in his standing with God. It is because of what his life demonstrated, just as with the Corinthians he mentioned in the previous verses (1-3).

This was not a claim of self-sufficiency. He knew that he alone was incapable of acceptably serving the Lord.  He was a creature who relied upon God’s grace, as do we all.  As such he wrote that he did not “think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God” (5).

His sufficiency was given to Him by God. His sufficiency was as a minister of the New Covenant. In parallel, the New Covenant is sufficient. There is a significance in his comparing the “letter” to the “Spirit.” The letter kills (here referring to the Old Law). The Spirit gives life. Paul’s continued battle was to deliver the redemptive work of Christ into the lives of those who needed life, but had not found it. It is not in the Old Covenant.  It was solely through Christ and His work. “The Spirit gives life” (3:6).

Paul warned against divisive errorists among the brethren in 1 Timothy 6. He described them as proud, unwilling to submit to God’s will, obsessed with matters bringing envy, strife and wranglings among brethren. He said their minds were corrupt, and they were destitute of truth, “who suppose that godliness is a means of gain” (6:3-5).

What is the meaning of that phrase? The Greek word (porismos) indicates a source of gain or procuring. Of course, the typical use would be a  procuring of money. This certainly can be the case. Elders, preachers, every member can be seduced by filthy lucre and the ease it brings. Using your relationship with other Christians to gain any economic advantage is a real indication of greed.

But, any benefit procured fits into the context.  Fame, position, power. Even if it is being “a big fish in a small pond” the allurement of the flesh is a danger to us all.

Such is the product of a selfish mind. One that is willing to wrangle, gossip, divide and promote error — as the intent is personal gain. Many of the divisions in God’s kingdom come from such efforts.

 We are to “withdraw” ourselves from such evil men, and know “godliness with contentment is great gain” (6:6). True gain is spiritual, not material!  It comes from a heart that seeks Christ, and unity with brethren. Such men don’t use Christ for personal physical advantage, but to be saved!

In Romans 3:23, Paul affirmed, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This should be understood as a statement of fact rather than a necessary requirement for mankind. While it is true that we all have transgressed God’s commandments, we have free will and can choose not to succumb to any particular temptation which befalls us.

Jesus is the wonderful example to follow in this. The writer of Hebrews tells us, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (4:15). Each of us fail because there is a war waging within us. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Galatians 5:17). While  the apostle hits the nail on the head here, he also confidently affirms in the same context, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Continue reading “(4 of 13) Shoring Up Weaknesses” →

A sermon detailing the text of 2 Chronicles 10-12, examining the up and down nature of the reign of King Rehoboam. Applications are made with regard to the need for steadfastness and obedience.

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A discussion of Lydia’s conversion to Christ, and her acts of hospitality, recorded in Acts 16:11-15.

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• YouTube Video of Sermon

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The title covers a portion of our men’s Sunday study where we discussed the book of Proverbs, covering the topic “Wisdom Regarding Speech.” I appreciate Justin leading our study, and the good material which was written by Mark Copeland. Our study of Proverbs has been very good.

The material emphasized how important it is for our speech to be positive. After warning about lying, deceitful flattery, gossip and cursing, the material covered the type of speech that should characterize us as Christians. While that may seem to be evident, the book of Proverbs has some gems for us to consider.

The three points made is that our speech should consist of 1) Good, 2) Timely, and 3) Controlled words. Here is a very concise treatment: Continue reading “The Constructive Use of Speech” →

Paul had in verse 4 admitted that he did not speak with human wisdom. This is one reason the efforts of Christians are disregarded by many in the world. The preaching of the gospel flies in the face of that for which the world stands.

However, Paul did have wisdom. “We speak wisdom among those who are mature” (6). This wisdom came from God rather than men. What Paul had to offer in his preaching was had been a mystery throughout the history of man, but had finally been revealed in the efforts of those days. When the “fulness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son” (Galatians 4:4).

“Rulers of this age” seems here to refer to the actual Roman and Jewish leaders who had crucified Jesus. “For had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (8).

The gospel of Jesus Christ, first proclaimed by Him, and then attested to by Paul and the other apostles and prophets (cf. Hebrews 2:3) is God’s wisdom offered to man.  May we all believe!

There are many passages which indicate the necessity of maintaining our faithfulness (and fruitfulness) until death. These exhortations and warnings clearly show  the error of that unfortunately popular view — if you at any point of your life give yourself to Jesus, you are set for eternity.

They way to heaven is a journey. We start the path when we accept Jesus, and end it at death. If we at anytime determine to veer away and never return to the path, our souls will be lost. It is that “he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).

The passage I have in mind here is a simple one. In 1 Timothy 5 Paul warned about adding a young widow to the “number” indicating those who were to be cared for by the church (cf. 9). The reason for this is the temptation that would befall them, “for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith” (cf. 11-2).

The passage? Verse 15, “For some have already turned aside after Satan.” This passage shows that some young widows who left. They had “turned aside”, and their life was characterized as “after Satan” rather than Christ. We should all beware lest the same happen to any of us!

Our title is taken from Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:36, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” While the context specifies words, the truth is that the concept of accountability is an integral part of God’s dealing with every aspect of mankind’s conduct — words, thoughts, and actions. The phrase Jesus used here, “they will give account” (apodid?mi logos), is defined by Thayer in this here as an “answer or explanation in reference to judgment.” “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Continue reading “(3 of 13) Accountability is Important” →